Mine: A Dark Mafia Billionaire Romance, page 7
I wasn’t even really certain of where I was now. I guessed I was in Greece, solely because of my godfather, but I wasn’t sure. He lived in Athens somewhere, or that’s what I’d thought.
My godfather.
What was he doing here? Was he a part of the Pappas family too? Was I in danger? Had all this been his idea?
I stiffened and his arms tightened around me.
“You’re alright, Maci-girl. You’re safe now,” he whispered, and for some reason his words comforted me. I didn’t really know why, but they did. I curled against him even closer and peeked out of the window to look around. Having never been overseas, I didn’t recognize anything.
“Where are we?” I asked quietly. My voice was hoarse, and I swallowed past my thirst. My stomach panged with hunger, and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. He reached into a compartment in the car, pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to me.
“Drink,” he commanded.
I drank nearly half when he cleared his throat and curled his arms around me, holding me tighter.
“We’re just outside of Athens. I’m bringing you to my home in Vouliagmeni,” he explained gently.
As the driver glided the car through the winding roads, I couldn’t help but curl into his lap. Eventually, the car slowed to a stop, and my gaze fixated on a sight that left me breathless—a colossal mansion that stood like a regal sentinel overlooking the brilliant blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
The sheer magnitude of the residence was staggering. It sprawled elegantly across the landscape. Towering pillars adorned the entrance, and the expansive grounds seemed to extend endlessly, utterly surrounded with manicured gardens and statues that whispered of wealth and sophistication. The architecture exuded grandeur, each facet of the mansion a testament to opulence that surpassed anything I’d ever seen in my life.
Gazing up, my eyes traced the intricate detailing of the structure, from the balconies that overlooked the sea, to the windows that seemed to frame a world of extravagance within, to the wrought iron gate that framed the entryway. The mansion wore its wealth unabashedly, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of it.
Who the fuck was my godfather that he could own a home like this?
“This is your home?” I asked, my disbelief shining through with every syllable.
“Yes,” he answered simply, but he said nothing more to explain how he could afford something like that.
“How?” I finally whispered.
“I’ll explain everything after we get you cleaned up and medically cleared to make sure you’re alright,” he replied, deflecting my inquiry for the moment.
I chewed the inside of my cheek, uncertainty gnawing at my insides.
“Will you tell me if I’m safe with you? That you’re not like Alexander Pappas?” I pressed.
“You’re safe with me, Maci-girl,” he replied, but he said nothing to answer my other question. I was just about to open my mouth and press a bit further, but the car door opened, and the older gentleman that had initially found me smiled warmly.
“My name is Andreas Dounas. Should you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask,” he said, nodding his head politely.
“Thank you,” I responded.
“A doctor is already waiting inside for her,” he added, looking directly at my godfather now with the sort of deference someone would give a king, and alarm bells sounded in the back of my head in spades now. I felt more and more uneasy as the seconds ticked by, but I tried to remember how he’d taken care of me over the years and how he’d made sure that my grandmother and I had wanted for nothing all our lives.
I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Andreas offered me a hand, but Nikolaos tightened his arms around me and carried me out of the car himself.
“I can manage,” I insisted, wanting to at least have a little bit of autonomy. With a gentle nod, he lowered me to my feet, his touch almost reluctant, as if uncertain about releasing me from the cocoon of his arms. One foot touched the ground and then the other, my legs unsteady at first and his fingers didn’t release me until I was standing up all on my own.
I took a step forward, and when I staggered, his hand was quick to reach out and catch me before I fell. Without another word, he swept me off my feet and carried me inside.
I didn’t say anything else because I was too busy taking in everything around me.
The interior of the mansion mirrored the luxury displayed outside. Intricate chandeliers spread a warm, golden glow across the space, illuminating the polished marble floors in a soft light. The furniture was beautiful, all hand-carved out of the best materials money could buy. It was just another piece of evidence that my godfather wasn’t who I thought he was, and that there was far more to the story than I’d ever thought.
“I can walk, really,” I tried once more, but Nikolaos ignored me this time and hefted me a bit higher in his arms, almost to emphasize his point in silence.
There was a pretty blonde woman in a white coat waiting for us in the foyer. I guessed that she must be the doctor Andreas had mentioned, and when she began speaking, I was sure of it.
“Where would be the best place for me to examine her?” she asked, her voice clipped and professional.
“The sitting room. Right this way,” Nikolaos led the way, striding straight into a room off the foyer. The room exuded a refined elegance, with tasteful furnishings arranged around a low wooden table.
The doctor motioned for me to sit on a plush chair, and Nikolaos reluctantly set me down, his expression revealing a complexity of emotions that I couldn’t quite get a read on. He moved to the side of the room, hovering at the periphery almost as if he didn’t want to leave me before he made sure I was alright.
“Ms. Williams, can you tell me if you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort?” the woman questioned, and I took stock of my body before shaking my head.
The doctor immediately took charge, her skilled hands conducting a thorough check of my body as she delved into her exam. She checked my wrists and my ankles the most thoroughly, and I was pleased to see the marks from the cuffs and the rope had already begun to fade. Before, they were an angry red. Now they were a rosy pink.
“Just aches and pains, I guess. Nothing too bad,” I finally offered, attempting to downplay the lingering soreness.
Her examination continued as she listened to my heartbeat and then poked and prodded my stomach to make sure I didn’t have any injuries beneath my clothing. Honestly, it was little more than my yearly physical.
This all seemed like a bit much, but I knew if I just cooperated, it would be over sooner rather than later, so I just went along with it.
The doctor pressed further, “Any specific areas of concern?”
“No, just kind of sore all over,” I admitted.
“Have you noticed any dizziness or headaches?” she probed further.
“No, not really. Just thirsty and hungry, to be honest,” I replied, feeling a bit like a specimen under blatant scrutiny.
“Alright. We’ll make sure you get something to eat and drink. Anything else you want to mention?” the doctor asked.
“There isn’t really anything else,” I answered quickly.
“Can you stand up for me?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.
Quickly, I stood up and was relieved to find that my legs no longer wobbled from misuse.
“Good, good. I find nothing of note, Mr. Kaligaris. She needs a good meal and plenty of water, but she’s perfectly healthy otherwise, if a bit worse for wear,” the doctor proclaimed.
“I’ll see to it that she’s taken care of. I trust that Andreas noted that this visit is of the utmost discretion?” Nikolaos asked, and she nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir. He did indeed,” she replied.
“Thank you, doctor.” He bowed his head, and she took her leave. I watched her go and swiveled my gaze back to my godfather, catching what appeared to be a predatory look on his face for a fraction of a second before it disappeared.
He took several steps towards me and swept me off my feet again.
“I really can walk, you know,” I tried again.
“I know, but you don’t have to,” he answered, his gravelly voice making my abs squeeze tight. It felt odd to be cared for so thoroughly like this, so much so that I didn’t really know how to handle it.
He carried me through the house up to a guest room, which was easily big enough to be the master bedroom. A king-sized bed, draped in luxurious dark blue linens, dominated the center, inviting sleep with its plush pillows and sumptuous duvet. Large windows framed by heavy, ornate curtains offered a view of the meticulously manicured grounds surrounding the mansion.
A writing desk stood against one wall, accompanied by a velvet-upholstered chair. The room was bathed in soft, natural lighting shining in from the window.
In one corner, a sitting area featured plush armchairs and a small coffee table. A discreet door hinted at an attached en-suite bathroom, undoubtedly as lavishly appointed as the rest of the space.
“I imagine you’d like to shower?”
“Yes, that would be lovely, but you’re going to have to let me stand on my own two feet for that,” I answered.
With a soft, reluctant sigh, he put me down. “Is there anything that you’d like to eat? I can have my chef prepare whatever you want,” he offered.
“Surprise me,” I replied, my voice quiet. I watched him with cautious ease.
“Come downstairs and find the kitchen when you’re ready,” he replied, then nodded curtly and headed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
For the first time in days, I sighed in relief. I hugged my arms around my chest.
I couldn’t ignore the persistent fear in my head about my godfather. It was obvious that he was someone important and that he was far richer than I had initially thought him to be.
I told myself that didn’t mean that he was someone dangerous. Maybe he was a stockbroker, or some rich CEO of a tech company, or just a run of the mill billionaire like they featured in Business Weekly.
Or maybe he’s a mafia boss himself.
I shook my head, trying to get my thoughts into a better place, and decided that a shower was exactly what I needed.
I ventured into the master bath and turned on the shower, letting the stall swirl with steam before I stripped out of the dirty clothing that I’d been wearing for days on end. The water pelted down on me as I arched my head back and wet my hair with a groan.
I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be clean.
Under the soothing cascade of water, I let the warmth wash away the grime of the past few days. The steam enveloped me, and I luxuriated in the simple pleasure of getting clean again. My fingers massaged shampoo into my hair, the lather carrying away the residue of stress and fear. I scrubbed my skin until it tinged a bright pink, reveling in the sensation, and then I combed conditioner into my hair, running my fingers through it and feeling how soft it got almost immediately.
The hot water seemed to wash away not only the physical dirt but also the lingering traces of torment from my encounter with the Pappas family. I shivered as I remembered how it felt to be kidnapped by them, to feel completely fucking powerless in their hands. Then I immediately pushed thoughts of that away.
For a moment, I closed my eyes, allowing the water to cascade over me, the rhythmic sound almost echoing a soothing lullaby.
I was safe. Everything was going to be alright. Nikolaos had told me I was safe, and I needed to believe him.
Sooner or later, my godfather would send me home and this would all be over before I knew it, a distant nightmare to file away in the deepest recesses of my mind. I wouldn’t have to think about how those grimy fingers felt on my skin or the sordid threats they’d made along the way.
I shivered.
With a deep breath, I shut the water off and strode out of the shower. I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel, ecstatic to find it warm. Even the tiles were heated beneath my feet. Every toiletry from the shampoo in the shower to the moisturizer on the bathroom counter was luxury and probably cost more than I made in a year. I combed my hair, brushed my teeth, and spoiled myself with everything there was at my disposal, including one of those fancy Korean face masks that made my skin super soft.
It was like my own personal spa.
In the closet I found a host of clothing for women, from dresses to pantsuits, to t-shirts and jeans, and everything in between. After some digging, I found a stretchy pair of black yoga pants, a long sage green sweater and some fluffy socks.
As I descended the stairs, the tantalizing aroma of grilling meat enveloped me, drawing me to the kitchen with eager anticipation. When I entered, my eyes widened at the sight of a table covered with what looked like a feast of traditional Greek dishes.
There were succulent skewers of marinated and grilled meat, their enticing aroma mingling with the fragrances of fresh herbs and citrus. There was also a colorfully vibrant Greek salad, a medley of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
My mouth watered and I sat down. There was a plate awaiting me, and I waited a little while for Nikolaos, but my hunger got the best of me, and I started piling on the food. I covered the delicious grilled meats with Tzatziki sauce and ate to my heart’s content. Every bite seemed more flavorful than anything I’d had back in the states.
By the time I finished my meal, Nikolaos hadn’t come to join me, and I figured maybe he was in an important business meeting or something. Eventually, I washed my dish and headed back upstairs to my room.
I slipped into the bed and closed my eyes, falling asleep at once, absolutely exhausted.
I’d ask him all my questions tomorrow.
CHAPTER 8
Nikolaos
I didn’t join her for dinner that night. Mainly, I didn’t want to get into it with her when I was angry, and I was fucking livid right now. I didn’t trust myself around her.
If she had never gotten into that car with her dumb drunk friend, none of this would have happened. The Pappas would never have found out about her existence. She’d still be safe at home with nothing more to worry about other than what she was going to do with the rest of her life like a fucking normal young adult.
“There aren’t many options, boss,” Andreas stated. “I’ve made sure those involved were taken care of, but Alexander Pappas is a bigger issue. The mobsters involved in the kidnapping have been eliminated, but he’s still at large.”
“They know she exists. They’ll kill her just to get to me,” I snapped.
He didn’t reply to my anger. He knew better than that.
My mind spiraled through possible ways to safely take her away from my world, but even as I said them, I knew they were pointless.
“We could fake her death and give her a new identity,” I suggested, frustration evident in my voice.
“And risk the Pappas family discovering the truth? They have connections everywhere. Faking a death is no guarantee they won’t find her,” Andreas replied, his tone measured.
“Then we get her into another country. Far away. Somewhere they won’t think to look,” I proposed, steepling my fingers, my tone hopeful.
“That could work, but they have ways of finding people. She won’t be truly safe, and you know it,” Andreas countered.
I slammed my fist on the table in frustration, knowing he was right. “Dammit, there has to be something we can do. I won’t let her be a pawn in their game.”
Andreas leaned back in his chair, studying me carefully. “There’s one more option, but it’s extreme.”
“Tell me,” I demanded.
“We eliminate the Pappas family entirely,” he suggested, his expression dead serious.
I scoffed at the idea. “That’s a war I’m not ready to start. The consequences would be catastrophic. We can’t afford to escalate things to that level.”
“Then we need to find another way to keep her safe, boss,” Andreas replied, his gaze unwavering.
I sighed. I knew I was fighting against myself. I knew there was only one option left. With a sigh, I finally said what I’d known all along to be the inevitable.
“She’ll need to stay here. With me. Permanently.”
CHAPTER 9
Maci
When I finally opened my eyes the next morning, it was well past noon. Honestly, it felt really good to sleep for so long. It had been days since I’d gotten a good night’s rest, and it had been fucking awesome to sleep in a bed rather than on a cold metal floor. I stretched my arms high over my head and groaned. There was still a slight residual ache in my shoulders, but I felt mostly fine otherwise, like the last few days hadn’t happened at all.
But it hadn’t been a dream, not when I woke up in a room like this.
With a yawn, I climbed out of bed and padded into the bathroom. After splashing some water on my face, I brushed my teeth and my hair. When I was ready, I raided the closet for a new comfortable pair of leggings, as well as a pretty long sleeve wrap dress. Then I headed downstairs to the kitchen, where despite the late hour, there was still the aroma of bacon wafting through the house.
Tentatively, I turned the corner into the kitchen to see that my godfather was there already, waiting for me. He was sipping a cup of black coffee as his eyes flicked up to meet mine, and I found myself, once again, entranced by the tumultuous depths of his stormy gaze.
My pussy clenched when it shouldn’t have, but before I could give my wayward body any credence, he cleared his throat.
“Maci, come sit,” he said, his voice warm, and I moved to take a seat across from him at the polished wooden table.
The silence between us was heavy, and I couldn’t help but feel the tension in the room, nor could I tell what he was thinking. I cleared my throat, trying to dispel some of the unease.
